Parent Pranks Child's School With 'Common Core' Check

A parent’s recent prank at the expense of his child’s elementary school is bringing new laughs to an old string of jabs against the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

The clever Ohio parent decided to put his money where his mouth was when it came time for him to write his child’s school a check. The payment, made out to Millridge Elementary, replaces the dollar amounts with “common core math,” which has been criticized for overcomplicating simple equations, according to the International Journal Review.

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Now, if the school tries to cash the check, someone will need to explain the common core style of solving math equations to the bank clerk. Since elementary math teachers are generally not expected to cash checks made out to the school, the person cashing the check may find the process as confusing as the bank cashier.

The Ohio parent’s action is only the most recent in a string of jabs made by parents in protest of Common Core.

Rare reports that model Britney Lace posted a math problem on Instagram and Twitter, writing: “This is the new common core first grade math... what happened to the old way?? This is stupid.”

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Other models agreed. One wrote back: “It really is! It makes it almost impossible for kids to get help with their homework because no one understands it!”

Even parents who deal with mathematics as a part of their career have raised concerns. One became resentful when trying to help his child with his math homework. He vented his frustration by letting his child’s teacher know exactly how he felt about the method by which his child was told to solve the equation 427 – 316.

The problem asked the child to use the “number line” method to solve the equation and to write a short letter, reported International Journal Review.

“I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering which included extensive study in differential equations and other higher math applications. Even I cannot explain the Common Core Mathematics approach, nor get the answer correct,” the parent wrote. “In the real world, simplification is valued over complication.”

The parent then used the “stacking” method to solve the problem. Afterward, he wrote, “The answer is solved in under 5 seconds – 111. The process used is ridiculous and would result in termination if used.”